Irish Republican Terror: A 30-Year History

Bombs and Attacks

The Arming Switch. Irish terror cells traditionally use an assembly-line method to manufacture bombs, timers, and mortars, so authorities fear there are at least a couple of other working devices out there ready for use. Images of potential devices were obtained exclusively by ABC News.

Exclusive, ABC News

Bombs and Attacks

The Arming Switch. Irish terror cells traditionally use an assembly-line method to manufacture bombs, timers, and mortars, so authorities fear there are at least a couple of other working devices out there ready for use. Images of potential devices were obtained exclusively by ABC News.

Exclusive, ABC News

Bombs and Attacks

A complicated timing device allows the device to be fired remotely, or self-destruct if it fails to launch.

Exclusive, ABC News

Bombs and Attacks

The mortar tube is plastic, and the bombmaker has used the gas cylinder from a car airbag as the propellant. Earlier models required the mortar to be within 30 to 40 yards of the barracks or police station.

Exclusive, ABC News

Bombs and Attacks

A fully assembled and ready-to-fire mortar seized by British authorities is capable of hurling an explosive charge weighing more than 40 pounds over the wall of a reinforced military barracks or police station from a distance of more than 300 yards.